Amazon has terminated Ahmed Shahrour, a Palestinian software engineer who worked in the company’s Whole Foods division in Seattle, after he protested Amazon’s business partnership with the Israeli government. Shahrour, who had been suspended since September, was informed of his dismissal through an internal email sent on Monday.
The company stated that his firing followed a review of his internal activity, alleging that he had breached Amazon’s standards of conduct, written communication policy, and acceptable use policy. According to an internal message reviewed by CNBC, Amazon claimed Shahrour had used company platforms to post “non-work-related messages” about the Israel-Palestine conflict on Slack, an internal communication channel.
The email notified him that details about his final paycheck and benefits would be provided within 24 hours, thanking him for his prior contributions but offering no further comment on the controversy surrounding his activism.
Protests Against Project Nimbus Spark Dispute
Shahrour had become increasingly vocal about Amazon’s role in Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion joint contract with Google that provides cloud computing services, artificial intelligence tools, and data infrastructure to the Israeli government and military.
He argued that the project facilitated Israel’s military operations in Gaza and urged the company to reconsider its participation. Before his suspension, he reportedly joined peaceful demonstrations outside Amazon’s Seattle headquarters and distributed flyers highlighting his concerns about how the company’s technology could be used in the ongoing war.
An employee coalition backing Shahrour released a statement condemning his termination, claiming it was directly linked to his activism and his opposition to Amazon’s ties with the Israeli military. They described the move as part of a broader attempt to stifle internal dissent and silence voices critical of corporate complicity in human rights issues.
Amazon Says Firing Was Based on Policy Violations
Amazon maintains that the dismissal had nothing to do with Shahrour’s political views but was instead based on workplace conduct. The company reiterated that all employees must adhere to communication and behavioral standards in the workplace.
An Amazon spokesperson told CNBC that the company enforces strict policies regarding internal communications and investigates any alleged misconduct. The spokesperson added that Amazon does not tolerate harassment or inappropriate behavior of any kind in its offices.
Amazon has not directly commented on the specifics of Project Nimbus. However, the company has consistently stated that it provides technology to clients around the world without discrimination or political consideration.
Employee Calls Decision Retaliatory
In his public statement to CNBC, Shahrour described his dismissal as a retaliatory act aimed at silencing Palestinian employees who oppose Amazon’s work with Israel. He said the company’s actions reflected an attempt to suppress internal criticism of its contracts that could aid military operations in Gaza.
Supporters of Shahrour have echoed this sentiment, arguing that his case highlights growing tension between corporate authority and employee free speech. They claim that Amazon’s decision discourages ethical discussions among staff and sends a message that activism related to human rights may come at a professional cost.
Industry-Wide Scrutiny Over Corporate Ties to Israel
Amazon is not the only major tech firm facing internal pushback over contracts with the Israeli government. Across the technology sector, employee activism has intensified amid the war in Gaza, with similar protests emerging at Google and Microsoft.
At Microsoft, software engineer Scott Sutfin-Glowski resigned last week after more than a decade at the company. He cited his discomfort with Microsoft’s cloud service contracts supporting the Israeli military and referenced reports indicating that hundreds of such contracts remain active. Earlier this year, Microsoft dismissed two employees who staged a protest inside its headquarters.
Similarly, Google terminated 28 employees in April 2024 after they participated in sit-ins and demonstrations against Project Nimbus. The company justified the dismissals by citing disruptions to business operations, while reiterating that its cloud services for the Israeli government are general-use and not intended for classified or direct military applications.
Project Nimbus Remains a Flashpoint
Project Nimbus has been one of the most controversial government tech contracts in recent years. Signed in 2021, the deal aims to modernize Israel’s cloud infrastructure through services provided jointly by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud.
While both companies have insisted that the contract serves civilian and government operations alike, critics and activists within the firms have raised ethical questions. They warn that artificial intelligence and data analytics tools could be deployed for surveillance and military purposes in occupied territories.
Despite internal dissent, both Google and Amazon have maintained their commitment to the contract, arguing that the services offered are consistent with standard commercial practices and compliance requirements. Microsoft, which also provides cloud services to Israel, has emphasized that its work primarily involves cybersecurity and ethical technology applications.
Broader Conflict Context and Ceasefire Developments
Shahrour’s termination coincided with a significant political event in the ongoing Israel-Gaza war. On the same day, Hamas released seven Israeli hostages as part of a ceasefire agreement brokered with help from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. In exchange, Israel agreed to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched attacks in southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking hundreds hostage. Israel’s response — a prolonged military campaign in Gaza — has since resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The humanitarian toll of the conflict continues to fuel protests and calls for accountability across industries and governments alike.
